ReviewNot necessarily the best valued slushie drink, but boy it's tasty in the heat after a water ride.

Updated 3/2014

]]>http://www.partythroughtheparks.com/islands-of-adventure-bars/rss-comments-entry-34711802.xmlBeer Selection and Prices at Snack Carts and Counter Service Restaurants in Islands of Adventurebeer at universaluniversal studios beerwhere to find beer at universal studiosPartyThroughTheParksSun, 23 Mar 2014 17:28:06 +0000http://www.partythroughtheparks.com/islands-of-adventure-bars/2014/3/23/beer-selection-and-prices-at-snack-carts-and-counter-service.html533513:6228882:34711741Throughout Islands of Adventure you will come across numerous snack & beverage carts that sell a variety of alcoholic beverages.

The beer selections vary by cart, and at any given time a cart that previously had beer available may not. Also, during peak times of the year, you may find extra temporary beer carts in queues and other spots throughout the park.

More Beer Selections at BarsBe sure to visit Backwater Bar and Hog's Head Pub for a larger selection of Domestic and Import beers that you can get to-go. Be sure to read all of the individual restaurant posts for their beer options.Prices & Selections as of 3/2014.

Draft BeerMiller Lite, Bud Light, Blue MoonFoodPizza, Sandwiches, Salads, etc.AtmosphereDine with the dinos from the iconic scene in the movie - you know, the one at the end with the banner? Plenty of indoor seating with a nice big patio with a panoramic view of the lagoon in the back. Also a great spot to just sit & relax for a bit.

Bottled BeerCoors Light, Smirnoff Ice, Miller Lite, HeinekenFoodPizza, Sandwiches, Salads, etc.AtmosphereMore interesting and themed than the neighboring Cafe 4, but the best spot is the patio seating in the back.

Updated 3/2014

]]>http://www.partythroughtheparks.com/islands-of-adventure-bars/rss-comments-entry-32864099.xmlCafe 4PartyThroughTheParksSat, 23 Feb 2013 18:10:11 +0000http://www.partythroughtheparks.com/islands-of-adventure-bars/2013/2/23/cafe-4.html533513:6228882:32864095You may want to wait to grab a bite here until after riding the neighboring rollercoaster, The Hulk. A large counter service restaurant with lots of indoor and outdoor seating. It's also connected to the arcade next door. Open daily at 11am for lunch and dinner.

Draft BeerBudweiser, Bud Light, Sam Adams SeasonalFoodPizza, Sandwiches, Salads, etc.AtmosphereWell, let's just say this isn't one of those places where you're eating here for the atmosphere. Aside from the A/C, you'd be better off sitting on a bench enjoying the sights of the rest of the park.

Updated 3/2014

]]>http://www.partythroughtheparks.com/islands-of-adventure-bars/rss-comments-entry-32864095.xmlMythosPartyThroughTheParksWed, 11 Aug 2010 01:09:52 +0000http://www.partythroughtheparks.com/islands-of-adventure-bars/2010/8/10/mythos.html533513:6228882:8521061Located in the Lost Continent island of the park. They are usually only open for lunch, and reservations are recommended. Reservation line: 407-224-4012Specialty Drinks - $14.95 Served in a Signature 24oz. take home souvenir glass

FoodWe dined here for New Year's Eve a few years ago, and after reading all the hype of the place, we were moderately disapointed with the food. We're willing to give it another shot in the future. One big downside is that this place is only open for short lunch hours. Why such an award-winning, fan favorite isn't open later hours for dinner is beyond me. While the picky eater can find something to enjoy, their menu boasts more exotic and unique dishes you wouldn't normally find in a theme park.

AtmosphereThe restaurant is built into a rocky mountain with a waterfall, and once you enter you feel like you are inside a cave. It does get rather noisy too with the lack of fabrics and dividing walls. There is a spacious outdoor seating area that gives a expansive view over the lagoon of the rest of the park. The good news is that even when the restaurant is closed, you can still get to part of the patio to enjoy the view.

Updated 3/2014

]]>http://www.partythroughtheparks.com/islands-of-adventure-bars/rss-comments-entry-8521061.xmlJurassic Park Beverage StandPartyThroughTheParksWed, 21 Apr 2010 15:28:44 +0000http://www.partythroughtheparks.com/islands-of-adventure-bars/2010/4/21/jurassic-park-beverage-stand.html533513:6228882:7404553DrinksMiller Lite, Yuengling, slushesFood: Popcorn &, wait for it, . . . MEALWORMS!Atmosphere: Just a walk up stand, this location is really an excuse to talk about eating mealworms, aka "Larvets", which, incidentally, aren't even at the stand, they're in the nearby Jurassic Park gift shop next to the cash register. The small boxes contain about 15 meal worms and come in your choice of cheddar cheese, mexican or BBQ. Here's the shocker, they're actually delicious! They're crispy and crunchy and have very little flavor besides the cheese, mexican spice or BBQ.

Once you get over the fact that you're eating bugs these are actually a lot like potato chips. Need another reason to try them? How about that they're a good source of low calorie protein? Or how about that America is one of only a handful of countries on Earth that doesn't consider bugs a normal part of its diet? The only "catch" in my mind is that they're a little addictive and crazy expensive at $2 a box.

Hmmmm, now how about something to make this section worth reading for those who refuse to eat bugs? Jurassic Park River Adventure opened in Orlando in 1999, in Hollywood in 1996 and Japan in 2001, here's the interesting fact, the $150,000,000 production cost, that's $20 million more than the original movie cost to make, make it the most expensive ride ever made and it still holds its record nearly 15 years after openning.

Now that you've got an interesting fact about the ride you're nearly forced to ride it . . . and since it dumps you out into the gift shop, how about trying those mealworms on the way out? Come on, you're on vacation!

********** Update ************

They now have crickets and mealworms available at both MIB and Jurassic Park - no need to make that tough decision for which park to go to based on which bug you want to snack on.

]]>http://www.partythroughtheparks.com/islands-of-adventure-bars/rss-comments-entry-7404553.xmlHog's Head Pub3 broom sticks menuButterbeerHarry PotterHog's Head PubHogs HeadPubWizarding Worldbutter beerharry potter barharry potter beerhogs head barthree broomsticks menuPartyThroughTheParksTue, 23 Mar 2010 16:37:53 +0000http://www.partythroughtheparks.com/islands-of-adventure-bars/2010/3/23/hogs-head-pub.html533513:6228882:7105883Stop by for a pint of liquid courage before taking that Forbidden Journey with Harry. Located in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, connected to the Three Broomsticks Restaurant.

Pub BlendsHave you been to the Rose & Crown Pub at Epcot and enjoyed one of their pub blends? They have a few of those same beers on tap here. While not on the menu at Hog's Head, if you ask the bartender he'll pour one for you.Golden - half Stella & half BassBlack & Tan - half Bass & half GuinnessBumblebee - half Boddingtons & half Guinness

Hard LiquorAlcoholic drinks are available, but at limited intervals. During peak seasons they will be removing the hard liquor so they can turn over butterbeer pours faster. While liquor is available, the mixers you have to choose from are assorted fruit juices, tonic, soda water and sweet & sour.

PricesAll Import Draft Beers are 20oz. for $7.50, Domestic $7Pour QualityAverageFoodSit down to a feast next door at the Three Broomsticks. Need a dumb fact while you dine? The movie makers were said to be so impressed with how Three Broomsticks turned out, that had never previously been seen in a movie, that they used it in Harry Potter and The Half-Blood Prince.

The bar and restaurant are connected, but employees are "guarding" the dining area and won't let you pass between the two - you have to go outside and enter through the main restaurant entrance. Hog's Head Brew and Miller Lite are available at the restaurant. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served at this counter-service restaurant. See the menu photos at the bottom of this post.AtmosphereIf you didn't know better, you'd think you just stepped into an old-world English-style pub – with a twist. The low ceiling and lighting give it a cozy, intimate feel. Universal did a great job making it feel authentically dirty and grimy - even the beer tap handles are realistically aged to look like they've been there for decades. Some of the props behind the bar are supposedly the real thing, actually used in the movies.

And you can't miss the bar's namesake - the Hog right in the middle behind the bar. It's frighteningly lifelike, especially when he moves his head, snorts & puffs at patrons. (I've heard from a good source that he responds to tips.)

You can find some fantastically cold AC spots in here too. But good luck finding a place to sit as the bar stools are 'here today, gone tomorrow'. There are only 4 tables (each seating 4) that aren't reserved for diners of Three Broomsticks. It appears J.K. and us may have a differing view on enjoying a cocktail at a theme park. Once the weather cools down a little you can relax on the large outdoor patio behind the restaurant with lots of shaded seating and a great view of the castle and lagoon. You'll find an ATM back here too.

ReviewThe bar has ten beers on tap, from the very light Miller Lite, to the stand a spoon in it thick Guinness. They've also got their own specialty beer, Hog's Head Brew. HHB is a deep golden Scottish Ale that's heavy on the bitter hops flavors, similar to a Killians. A young lady that ordered one next to me took one sip and exclaimed "Ewww, it tastes like rust!" and sent it back for a Miller Lite instead. While it's not exactly my favorite type of beer, I'd say that review may be a bit on the harsh side. To each, his own, right? Hog's Head Brew is made locally by Florida Beer Company.

The Hog's Head Pub also had another beer I've never seen, London Pride. London Pride is also a deep golden lager that's dry, heavy on hops, and light on malt flavor. The bartender compared it to a chardonnay. That's not exactly what I'd compare it to. London Pride has done something special for me that I won't soon forget, it's set a new low for how bad beer can be. Every sip was like licking the underside of an old bar table. But, I'm a trooper when it comes to biting off more than I can chew. I toughed it out to the very bottom - unfortunately, it didn't get better as I got closer to the bottom. It was like a marathon of terribleness.

Here's some good news, they've got one of my favorite uncommon beers on tap, Boddington's Pub Ale. The Boddington kegs are hooked up to a nitrogen tank, just like Guinness, so it does the same "building" after it's poured. The beer has a smooth, well balanced flavor and a slightly creamy mouth-feel. Also worth honorable mention, one of my favorite dark beers, Newcastle, and a great, crisp, dry cider, Strongbow, have found new taps to call home.

ButterbeerLet's not forget the N/A selection! So, what's our take on Butterbeer? First off, as you probably already know, it's available from a tap that's fed by a keg, like a real beer, or frozen, like a slush. Neither have alcohol so they're perfect for the children or the thirsty teatotaler. Butterbeer from the tap is extremely similar to a cream soda - so similar in fact that I'd be hard pressed to tell the difference between it and an A&W. They top it with a secret concoction that tastes of vanilla and a touch of cinnamon. The topping gives it a unique creamy head that holds large spooky bubbles for a long time. After giving the stuff on top a taste, I'm fairly certain that it's whipped cream without an accelerant to make it frothy but with a little extra stabilizer, like soy lecithin, to help it hold bubbles for a mysteriously long time. Frozen Butterbeer comes out of a slushie machine and is similar to a frozen vanilla cappuccino. The slush is topped with the same whipped cream topping as is used on the tap Butterbeer.Pumpkin JuiceI also got my hands on the surprisingly good (and surprisingly expensive) Pumpkin Juice. $6.25, including tax, got me a 16 oz. bottle of what can only be described as pumpkin pie without the troublesome chewing. The biggest other surprises about it, 1. pumpkin puree was one of the top ingredients listed, 2. it was pulpy. Make your own Pumpkin Juice at home - check out our recipe here, along with some alcoholic cocktails using the concotion.

Updated 4/2014

Thoughts on Wizarding WorldThis new land is really something. It's far more immersive than any other theme park area and it really shows you the direction theme parks are going in the future. Even the most adamant Disney fans (you know, the ones that hate Universal) will have to admit, Disney doesn't have anything like this. Don't get me wrong, I love Disney parks, but this land is so impressive, so over the top that it makes the Disney parks look the 15 - 40 years old that they are.

(By the way, the Forbidden Journey ride is AMAZING. It's easily the best non-roller coaster ride I've ever been on. Minor spoiler alert about the ride mechanism - imagine Spiderman but with Sum of All Fears Kuka Arms mounted to the cars. If that's not a recipe for success, I don't know what is.)

Have you visited the Hog yet? Tried his brew? Hate that I called out the Disney "fanboys"? Tell us what you thought or just air your grievance in the comments!

Don't miss our own Specialty Cocktail Creations using Butterbeer and Pumpkin Juice!Here is the Main Course Menu over at the adjoining Three Broomsticks Restaurant. Click to enlarge. Updated 10/12.

Pour QualityPoorFoodChips, pretzels & churros.AtmosphereNothing special to look at here. Go over and watch the talking fountain or browse the unique gift shops.ReviewSmaller than other similarly priced frozen drinks. Get the N-A version for $3.75 & grab a beer. Wait, $3.75 for N/A and $7.75 for the real thing? That makes the .75oz of generic rum $4! That's probably enough to buy an entire bottle of that stuff.

Note to anyone from Universal that's reading this, could you please at least swing a decent pour in an $8 slush?